Tourist route”Jewish trail” (Crimea)
Rating: 9,2/10 (1567 votes)  Jewish Trail Almost every Crimean city or resort village has its own hiking trail or route that attracts outdoor enthusiasts. For Alupka, this route was the Jewish Trail, known even before 1917. Its names have changed several times, and some guidebooks at a stretch call it a tourist route, but, nevertheless, tourists' interest in the Jewish trail does not diminish. History of the routeThe name of the trail is tied on a play on words. To understand that the"Jews" took part in its formation only indirectly, and to make sure that there is no anti-Semitism in this tourist route, you just need to know the history of the trail. It all began in 1914. At that time, this part of Alupka was a huge estate of the Yusupov princes, who owned two estates located at a fairly decent distance from each other. To make the path from one estate to another more convenient, Felix Yusupov hired an engineer with the surname Zhidov to design the road. At that time, the word"Jew" did not have the negative connotation that appeared now, so the route from one noble estate to another began to be called"Zhidovaya road". This name stuck to the trail even after 1917. Only a few years later a neutral name was established among the locals, which still exists today. The route was changed only in the 1960s. At this time, the key road Yalta-Sevastopol was being laid, which became one of the main intercity routes in Crimea. The route crossed the Jewish trail in two places, so local tourists decided to lay another section of the route, but with the old name. Today there are two full-fledged versions of the Jewish trail. Both routes have varying success among visitors to Alupka, so most guidebooks indicate two route numbers. Description and durationAccording to most tourist guides, the Jewish trail is 4 kilometers. A number of other sources add another two kilometers to this figure, compensating for the same route options that combine the old trail and the new one. In any case, even if you have to walk more than 4 kilometers, the Jewish trail is the easiest walking route in Crimea. But the options for specific routes and their nuances should be considered separately. Option # 1The first option of the Jewish trail is often called the"classic route". It starts even within the city, on Izergin Street. Having passed the pre-war quarters of the private sector, tourists find themselves at a fork, one of the paths of which leads towards the Yalta-Sevastopol highway. Concrete blocks blocking the exit from the highway will become a good reference point for the walker. After descending from the embankment, you will need to go to another landmark - the gas pipeline, which you will either have to climb over or go under. Both options are extremely inconvenient but this is the only way to get on the"classic route". Crossing the highway should be done with great care - most drivers ignore the speed limit and simply exceed the speed limit. Having crossed the carriageway, the group, finally, may find themselves on the very section of the Jewish trail, which was laid more than 100 years ago. The next section of the path passes by another modern object - vineyards. This is a protected area, but the guards, as a rule, are aware of the crowds of tourists, so they do not go beyond the warning message. In no case should you do anything - even try to enter the territory of the vineyards. After the grounds, another section of the path begins. Here the trail crosses a large clearing, to the left of which you can see Shaan-Kaya rock, which will be a reference point for the entire segment. After passing this glade, tourists will find themselves in a dense pine forest, which, if you do not deviate from a narrow path, can be passed in just 10 minutes.  Rock of Shaan-Kai At the exit from the forest, an extremely hard-hitting picture opens up - conflagration , which was formed here in 2007. The cause of the burnout was a signal fire, which was lit by a lost student from Kharkov. The fire destroyed almost a thousand hectares of forest. Having passed the area of the burnt forest, you will need to go past the Chaka-Tysh mountain visible on the right and stop near Suan-Chokrak spring. Here you can get some fresh water to safely continue your journey to the Ai-Petri plateau.  Ai-Petri Plateau The next segment of the path is clearly visible - in front there will be Mount At-Bash, which and will become the key pass of the entire route. The ascent to the pass is extremely low, and the mountain path, with the exception of one section with a cliff, is completely safe. Descending from the pass to the plateau, you can finally relax at the well-equipped tourist parking. Route 2 optionThe second route option turns out to be much simpler than the first, but it also has its own subtleties, knowledge of which will help you not to get lost on a seemingly elementary path. The route begins on a section of the old Sevastopol highway, which can be reached by taxi. Local drivers know this place as" Turn to Kasimovka".  Old Sevastopol highway Through Kasimovka itself you will need to walk along the main street. It is difficult to get lost here, but if the tourist nevertheless turns the wrong way, you can always ask the locals which side the Jewish Trail is. After the private sector, the asphalt road turns from a straight highway into a winding path. This will be a signal to that the group is on the right track. Behind Kasimovka there will be an unnamed pond, where it is not recommended to take water. Directly behind this pond, the asphalt road ends on an unpaved country path. A further landmark on the Jewish trail will be a concrete well, past which you will need to go to the left. After a few minutes, the road bifurcates into a clearing and a rolling lane. You need to choose the second option, because there will be a dead end on the clearing for tourists. Having chosen the desired path at the fork, you just need to go straight. After 200 meters, the road will go up sharply - this will be the most difficult part of the path, but soon it will come to the intersection with the"classic route". Roads cross in the infamous conflagration. From him the Jewish Trail has only one path. On some sections of the route, tourists will often come across dogs. Animals in this area are mostly semi-wild, so it is advisable to forget that they are"man's best friend." It is best to scare away dogs with whistles and other objects that make a sharp and loud noise. Despite the fact that the Jewish trail is considered one of the easiest hiking trails in Crimea, it is quite easy to get lost here. Therefore, you should never trust your own landmarks, but immediately hire an experienced guide from local residents. / p> Interesting factsOn some sections of the route, tourists will often come across dogs. Animals in this area are usually semi-wild, so it is advisable to forget that they are"man's best friend." It is best to scare away dogs with whistles and other objects that make a sharp and loud noise. Despite the fact that the Jewish Trail is considered one of the easiest hiking trails in Crimea, it is quite easy to get lost here. Therefore, you should never trust your own landmarks, but immediately hire an experienced guide from local residents. It is best to scare away dogs with whistles and other objects that make a sharp and loud noise. Despite the fact that the Jewish trail is considered one of the easiest hiking trails in Crimea, it is quite easy to get lost here. Therefore, you should never trust your own landmarks, but immediately hire an experienced guide from local residents. It is best to scare away dogs with whistles and other objects that make a sharp and loud noise. Despite the fact that the Jewish trail is considered one of the easiest hiking trails in Crimea, it is quite easy to get lost here. Therefore, you should never trust your own landmarks, but immediately hire an experienced guide from local residents. We also recommend reading Things to do in India Topic: Tourist route”Jewish trail” (Crimea). |
